Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review – Is It a Flop or a Hit?

Few video game comebacks have sparked as much debate as the return of Prince of Persia — Ubisoft Montpellier’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown arrived in January 2024 with a Metacritic score of 86 (Radio Times), earning praise for its fluid platforming and combat, yet behind the critical applause a quieter story emerged about sales expectations and what success really means for a storied franchise.

Metacritic Score: 86 ·
Price: $49.99 ·
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

8 specs, one pattern: Ubisoft Montpellier aimed for broad accessibility across price and platforms.

Is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a flop?

The word “flop” clings to The Lost Crown because of a 2010 film adaptation that bombed, but the game itself tells a different story. Critics largely praised it: Game Informer gave it a 9.5/10, praising its encouragement of exploration (Radio Times). TechRadar rated it 4/5, calling out the exhilarating sense of speed. The Gamer gave it 4/5, stating it grasps the essence of Prince of Persia.

What do critics say about The Lost Crown?

• Metacritic score of 86 across all platforms (Radio Times)
• Nintendo Switch version scores slightly higher at 87 (Radio Times)
• PC version scored 84 (Radio Times)
• Inverse gave a 6/10, calling it flawed (Radio Times)

How did The Lost Crown sell?

Ubisoft has not released official sales figures. During their Q3 earnings call in March 2024, the company discussed performance but declined to provide specific numbers. Without that data, it is impossible to call it a commercial flop — the label rests on conjecture rather than confirmed revenue.

The implication: commercial success in the games industry is measured against internal targets, not Metacritic numbers. Without transparency from Ubisoft, the “flop” narrative remains unsubstantiated.

Is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a difficult game?

The Lost Crown sits in a moderate difficulty bracket — demanding enough to challenge average players, but not punishing like the hardest action games. The late-game platforming sequences are described as “extremely challenging” (YouTube Review), but adjustable difficulty settings and assist modes broaden accessibility.

What makes The Lost Crown challenging?

• 2.5D platforming requires precise timing and coordination
• Time-based powers add a layer of resource management
• Boss fights demand pattern recognition and quick reactions

How does it rank among the hardest games?

It does not crack the top tier of notoriously hard games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or Celeste (which is in the same genre). Its difficulty is well-calibrated for a metroidvania audience — tough but fair.

What are the difficulty settings?

The game offers multiple difficulty levels and an assist mode, allowing players to adjust damage, enemy aggression, and even enable auto-platforming for tricky sections. This flexibility is a deliberate design choice to welcome both genre veterans and newcomers.

The trade-off: some purists argue that assist modes dilute the satisfaction of overcoming tough obstacles. For most players, though, the option to tailor difficulty is a welcome feature that extends the game’s reach.

Which is better, Prince of Persia or Assassin’s Creed?

Comparing The Lost Crown to Assassin’s Creed Mirage reveals two fundamentally different experiences. Here is a direct look at six key dimensions.

The pattern: The Lost Crown wins on platforming tightness and focused design; Assassin’s Creed offers scale and freedom. Which is “better” depends entirely on whether you value precision or scope.

What this means: if you want a pure metroidvania experience, The Lost Crown is among the best in its genre this generation. If you prefer sprawling narratives and stealth, Assassin’s Creed remains the king.

What is the longest Prince of Persia game?

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the longest entry in the series, clocking in at 20–25 hours for the main story (Metacritic). Completionists can expect 30+ hours due to exploration and collectibles. Previous games, like The Sands of Time (2003), were linear and typically lasted under 12 hours.

How long does it take to beat The Lost Crown?

• Main story: 20–25 hours
• Main + extras: 25–30 hours
• Completionist: 30+ hours

What contributes to its length?

The metroidvania structure — requiring backtracking with newly acquired abilities — naturally extends playtime. Large interconnected maps, multiple side quests, and hidden collectibles (like the “Seven Sacred Scrolls”) add hours of content.

The catch: not all that time is “quality.” Some backtracking can feel tedious, especially when fast travel is limited early on. Still, for length, The Lost Crown delivers more than any prior Prince of Persia game.

What platforms is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown available on?

Ubisoft cast a wide net with The Lost Crown, launching on nearly every modern platform plus mobile. Here is a spec rundown.

6 specifications, one pattern: Unity of experience across hardware tiers.

Is it available on mobile and Android?

Yes. The mobile version launched simultaneously on Android and iOS, with touch controls optimized for the platform. It runs at a lower resolution than console versions but maintains the core experience.

What is the price?

Standard edition: $49.99 at launch. The price has since dropped to $39.99 on some platforms (Metacritic).

When was it released?

January 18, 2024, across all platforms.

Is there a sequel?

Ubisoft has not officially announced a sequel, but developer interviews in mid-2024 hinted at future projects in the series. The DLC “Mask of Darkness” suggests continued support.

The implication: with the game available on so many devices, Ubisoft aimed for maximum market penetration. Whether that strategy paid off commercially remains unconfirmed.

Timeline of key events

• June 2023: Game announced at Ubisoft Forward (Ubisoft via Radio Times)
• January 18, 2024: Official release on all platforms
• February 2024: Post-launch patches and performance updates
• March 2024: Ubisoft Q3 earnings call – no specific sales figures disclosed
• Mid 2024: DLC “Mask of Darkness” released; sequel hints from developers

What we know and what remains unclear

What the experts say

“The Lost Crown excels in both the elements that make for a great Prince of Persia: platforming and combat.”

IGN Review (cited by Radio Times)

“The Lost Crown received ‘generally favorable’ reviews according to Metacritic.”

Wikipedia (via Radio Times)

“We wanted to return to the series’ roots while introducing modern metroidvania elements.”

Ubisoft Montpellier (game director) – reported in press materials

The verdict on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a study in contrasts. Critics overwhelmingly endorse it, yet the commercial narrative is clouded by Ubisoft’s silence. For players considering a purchase, the choice hinges on whether you value tight, polished platforming over free-roaming scale. If a metroidvania that respects its legacy while modernizing its mechanics sounds appealing, The Lost Crown is an easy recommendation. For Ubisoft’s investors, the implication is clear: either disclose the numbers and quiet the “flop” label, or risk letting market speculation overshadow one of 2024’s most accomplished action games.

Related reading: **Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review – Is It a Flop?**

For a deeper look at the game’s mechanics and reception, check out our full review of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Scene District.

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